Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Denmark (Ratification: 1932)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Denmark (Ratification: 2017)

Article 1 of the Convention and Article 1(1) and (2) of the Protocol. Institutional framework. National policy and systematic action. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking for the period 2022–2025 covers three main areas, namely: (i) Strengthened government efforts, outreach work and identification; (ii) Better offers for victims of human trafficking; and (iii) Strengthened prosecution. It also states that to strengthen the fight against trafficking in persons, 118.2 million Danish krone were allocated to support the National Action Plan, which is an increase of 7 million krone compared to the previous action plan. The Government further indicates that the Danish Centre Against Human Trafficking (CMM) coordinates an Authority Group for Combating Trafficking, which includes, the Police, the Prosecution Service, the tax agency, the Immigration Service and the Working Environment Authority. The Group meets on a regular basis and recent discussions have focused on the financial aspects of anti-trafficking efforts, the role of recruitment agencies in trafficking.

The Committee takes due note of these developments and requests the Government to provide information on the activities undertaken for the implementation of the three areas of the 2022–2025 Action Plan. Pease indicate the results achieved and the difficulties encountered in implementing the Action Plan and provide information on the activities carried out by the Danish Centre Against Human Trafficking (CMM) and the Authority Group for Combating Trafficking.

Article 2 of the Protocol. Preventive measures. Clauses (b) and (e). Educating and informing employers. Supporting due diligence. The Government indicates that the CMM regularly takes part in meetings between the relevant authorities and the social partners, which aim to shed light on challenges, concerns and share tendencies in relation to workplaces. The Committee requests the Government to provide more specific information on the measures taken to support due diligence by both the public and private sectors to prevent and respond to risks of forced labour. It also reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 135(1)(6) of the Danish Procurement Act, indicating whether candidates/tenderers have been excluded from participating in a procurement procedure due to their involvement in cases of trafficking in persons.

Article 3 of the Protocol. (i) Identification, protection and assistance of victims. The Committee recalls that the task of identifying victims of trafficking in persons lies mainly with the CMM. It notes the Government’s indication that the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) is responsible for identifying and assessing possible cases of trafficking among asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. The DIS has a dedicated team which handles trafficking in persons cases in collaboration with various stakeholders, such as the Danish Police and the Danish Centre against Human Trafficking (CMM). The Government also indicates that the CMM provides training and education to relevant actors with a view to ensuring that they understand trafficking, recognize its signs, and follow national procedures for referring potential victims to the CMM for further assessment. The CMM is responsible for a national hotline and an online reporting tool, which potential victims, the wider public, companies, relevant authorities etc. can use if they suspect trafficking.

The Government states that the number of victims of trafficking identified was 73 in 2022, and 112 in 2023. The Committee also notes that from the CMM’s statistical information, in 2024, 78 people were victims of trafficking in persons, including 48 women and 30 men. Four people were under 18 years of age, and almost every fourth was under 25 years of age. The Government indicates that, upon identifying a trafficking victim, the CMM contact person conducts a risk assessment to determine any special security needs. A second risk assessment is carried out before repatriation.

The Government indicates that the number of victims of trafficking in persons that have been granted a reflection period was 56 in 2022 and 91 in 2023. With regard to residence permits, the Government states that the Danish Aliens Act No.863 of 2013 does not provide for residence permits solely based on trafficking victim status. It indicates that, in the period from 1 May 2021 until 30 April 2024 the Danish Immigration Service has issued three first-time residence permits related to an investigation into trafficking in persons according to section 9(c)(5) of the Aliens Act (which provides for temporary residence for victims of crimes whose presence is required for purposes of investigation or prosecution). Moreover, according to the CMM’s statistical information, 26 people received prepared repatriation in 2024, with nationals from Thailand making up the largest group.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that all identified victims of human trafficking are offered assistance, including accommodation, case management by the CMM, healthcare, legal aid, and voluntary return support. According to the statistics provided by the Government, 62 victims of trafficking received assistance in 2022 and 101 in 2023. The Committee requests the Government to continue to ensure that all victims of trafficking, irrespective of their legal status, are provided with appropriate protection and assistance to ensure their recovery and rehabilitation, including through the granting of a recovery and reflection period. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the victims who have been identified, who have been granted a recovery and reflection period, and who have been granted a residence permit.

Article 4 of the Protocol. (i) Access to appropriate and effective remedies. The Committee recalls that victims of criminal offences (including trafficking in persons) can claim compensation during a criminal court proceeding or in civil law proceedings after the criminal law proceedings have ended. State compensation can also be granted, through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Attorney-General did not have the opportunity to obtain information about compensation cases that are dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to provide information on: (i) the number of victims of trafficking who have received compensation from the perpetrators or through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; (ii) any legal, administrative, or procedural obstacles that prevent victims of trafficking from accessing complaints mechanisms and compensation.

(ii) Non-prosecution of victims of trafficking. The Committee takes due note of the Government indication that, between 2020 and April 2024, three individuals identified as victims of trafficking for criminal offences related to the production of drug and two individuals identified as victims of trafficking for criminal offences related to the sale of drugs were released in court, as they were found to have been subjected to trafficking in persons.

Article 25 of the Convention and Article 1(1) of the Protocol. Prosecutions and application of sanctions. Following the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that, from May 2020 to April 2024, 31 joint national and 154 joint regional inspections were conducted by labour inspectors together with the police and tax authorities, with a focus on social dumping and illegal work. The Government indicates that, in the framework of the National Action Plan: (i) six additional police officers were appointed in 2023 to intensify controls, including in restaurants, construction sites, and the prostitution industry, and (ii) a National Investigation Unit was established in 2022, to centralize expertise to combat complex economic and organized crime, including trafficking in persons, and to support local police. In addition, the Danish National Police has developed guidelines for all Danish police services to highlight indicators of trafficking in persons. The Government also informs that in 2022 a new section was introduced in the Criminal Code, which criminalizes the exploitation of others for work under manifestly unreasonable conditions, punishable by imprisonment for up to six years (section 262 (b)). The number of cases of trafficking identified was12 in 2022, 37 in 2023 and 12 up to April 2024; authorities prosecuted three suspects each year between 2021 and 2023; and courts did not convict anyone in 2021, two persons in 2022 and three in 2023, under section 262(a) of the Criminal Code, which criminalizes trafficking in persons.

The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to strengthen the capacities of the law enforcement bodies, including the National Investigation Unit and the joint regional inspections to identify and investigate cases of exploitation and trafficking in persons for both sexual and labour exploitation. It also requests the Government to provide statistics on the number of offences reported and legal procedures initiated under section 262(a) and (b) of the Criminal Code and the penalties applied.